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    Business

    Pretty Tough with Maria Sharapova

    Five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova brings her trademark intensity and drive to a weekly podcast that challenges how female ambition is defined and discussed. In each episode of Pretty Tough, Sharapova sits down with high-achieving women across industries for candid, wide-ranging conversations about their pursuit of excellence without apology. Inspired by Sharapova’s own journey as a world-class athlete and entrepreneur, the show serves as a space where discussions about peak performance, career strategy, wellness, and leadership aren’t diluted by gender-specific expectations and where being gritty and being female aren’t seen as contradictory states of being.

    New episodes drop Wednesdays. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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    Latest Episodes:
    Alex Eala Was Raised to Be a Champion Oct 07, 2026
    Show notes

    In this episode of Pretty Tough, host Maria Sharapova sits down with tennis sensation Alex Eala. At just 21 years old, Alex has carved her name in history as the first Filipino to ever win a WTA tour title, rocketing into the world top 20 after unforgettable runs at Wimbledon and DC. Alex opens up about what it’s really like to be in the middle of a massive breakout moment under the global microscope. She discusses the brutal physical and mental demands of the sport, learning how to suffer on court, and dealing with the immense weight and pride of carrying a nation's expectations. From grueling 4:45 AM training sessions with her grandfather to moving away from home at 13 to join the Rafa Nadal Academy, to the highs of winning, meeting Anna Wintour, forging friendships on tour, and more. Alex shares the raw, unfiltered reality of her life playing elite tennis. SUBSCRIBE ►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1 LISTEN: ►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254 00:00 — Introduction: Meet Alex Eala 02:00 — Finding Joy in the Grind and Capacity to Suffer 04:00 — The Transition from Juniors to Professional Tennis 08:30 — Navigating Public Opinion and the Media Spotlight 11:00 — Brutally Honest Team Feedback and Wake-Up Calls 15:00 — Wimbledon Centre Court and Emulating Greatness 19:00 — Winning the First WTA Title in Washington, D.C. 21:40 — Carrying the Hopes of the Philippines and Managing Pressure 28:00 — Early Beginnings: Training with Lolo Bob at Age Three 33:30 — Moving to Spain and Joining the Rafa Nadal Academy at 13 42:00 — Meeting Anna Wintour and the Intersection of Tennis and Fashion 48:00 — Tour Friendships, Normalcy, and Humility 52:30 — Defining Grit, Fight, and Facial Expressions on Court 058:00 — The "Pretty Tough" Rapid-Fire Questionnaire FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Maria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariasharapova/ ►Maria on X: https://x.com/MariaSharapova ►Pretty Tough on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettytough/?hl=en About Pretty Tough Pretty Tough is the weekly interview podcast hosted by five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova. Each week, Maria sits down with founders, CEOs, athletes, creatives, investors, and other high achievers for candid conversations about leadership, ambition, decision-making, performance, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building exceptional careers. Drawing from her own experience at the highest levels of sport and business, Maria explores what it really takes to succeed—from navigating failure and reinvention to scaling companies, leading teams, and pursuing excellence over the long term. About Maria Sharapova Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam champion, former World No. 1 tennis player, entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and one of the most recognizable athletes of her generation. Since retiring from professional tennis, she has built businesses, invested in consumer, technology, and lifestyle companies, and become a respected voice on leadership, performance, and entrepreneurship.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


    Milk Bar Founder Christina Tosi on Building, Burnout and Resetting Sep 30, 2026
    Show notes

    Maria Sharapova sits down with Milk Bar founder, chef, and entrepreneur Christina Tosi. From getting her start writing food safety plans for David Chang to breaking the internet with Compost Cookies and cereal milk soft serve, Christina shares the raw, unfiltered reality of building a massive dessert empire.

    They dive deep into the power of her "cannonball" mindset, embracing failure out loud, navigating extreme burnout, the pressures of being a CEO and why she ultimately decided to step back and move to Nashville to reset.

    Whether you're an entrepreneur, a creator, or just trying to figure out your next chapter, this conversation is packed with wisdom, humility, and inspiration.


    SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1

    LISTEN:►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254


    CHAPTERS

    00:00 — Introduction: The "Cannonball" Personality and Welcoming Christina Tosi

    00:54 — Trading Business Stories: Maria Sharapova and Christina Tosi on Bootstrapping

    04:46 — The Cannonball Mindset: Jumping In Without Knowing the Details

    07:33 — Entering the Food Scene: Working with David Chang at Momofuku

    09:59 — Finding Your "Why": Transitioning from Fine Dining to Heartfelt Baking

    12:20 — The Power of Bad Bosses, Self-Worth, and Playing the Long Game

    14:02 — It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint: Shared Lessons from Sports and Business

    17:42 — The Birth of Milk Bar: Opening Next Door to Momofuku

    21:55 — Midnight Crowds, Late-Night Culture, and Anonymity in New York

    24:32 — Turning Passion Into Business: Finding Pockets of Joy and Just Starting

    28:31 — Culinary Training, Cereal Milk, and Protecting Childhood Nostalgia

    31:13 — Mental Grit, Doubts, and Trusting the Process

    35:05 — Mastering the Business Side: One Day at a Time and Trick Yourself to Win

    39:35 — Empowering Women in Leadership: Proving Your Worth

    41:35 — The Dangers of Scale: Protecting Creativity from Corporate Pressure

    44:00 — Failing Out Loud: The Story Behind the Failed Milk Bar Life Juice Launch

    49:33 — Stepping Down as CEO: Burnout, Motherhood, and Empty Tanks

    53:02 — Moving to Nashville: Trading Old Rules for a Blank Canvas

    56:32 — Rapid Fire: Top Global Desserts Worth Traveling For

    01:00:07 — Final Insights: Unlearning Introversion, Perfectionism, and Feeling "Pretty Tough"

    FOLLOW THE SHOW

    ►Maria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariasharapova/

    ►Maria on X: https://x.com/MariaSharapova

    ►Pretty Tough on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettytough/?hl=en

    About Pretty Tough

    Pretty Tough is the weekly interview podcast hosted by five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova. Each week, Maria sits down with founders, CEOs, athletes, creatives, investors, and other high achievers for candid conversations about leadership, ambition, decision-making, performance, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building exceptional careers.Drawing from her own experience at the highest levels of sport and business, Maria explores what it really takes to succeed—from navigating failure and reinvention to scaling companies, leading teams, and pursuing excellence over the long term.

    About Maria Sharapova

    Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam champion, former World No. 1 tennis player, entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and one of the most recognizable athletes of her generation. Since retiring from professional tennis, she has built businesses, invested in consumer, technology, and lifestyle companies, and become a respected voice on leadership, performance, and entrepreneurship.


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


    Supermodel Carolyn Murphy: 73 Vogue Covers, Walking Away from Fame, and Finding Yourself at 53 Sep 23, 2026
    Show notes

    Supermodel icon Carolyn Murphy sits down with Maria Sharapova to reflect on three decades in fashion, shooting 73 Vogue covers (and counting), and the pivotal moment she walked away from fame to live quietly in Costa Rica with her daughter. Carolyn opens up about the power of intuition, breaking up with perfectionism, navigating single motherhood, and why dedication always beats discipline.


    SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1


    LISTEN:►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254

    • 00:00 – Introduction: Aging, Longevity, and Supermodel Realities

    • 00:59 – Escaping the Spotlight: Why Carolyn Walked Away to Costa Rica

    • 02:00 – The Chaotic Moncler Aspen Runway & 30 Years of Experience

    • 03:43 – Nana's Wisdom: "Beauty is as Beauty Does" & Trading Discipline for Dedication

    • 05:32 – The 1995 Prada Pixie Cut & Finding Her Footing in the Grunge Era

    • 08:34 – Maintaining Individuality Amidst Endless Industry Opinions & Working with Legends

    • 11:00 – Christy Turlington’s Mentorship & Turning to Yoga and Breathwork

    • 13:28 – 73 Vogue Covers: Surreal Moments and the Microscope of Fashion

    • 20:00 – Legendary Photographers: Steven Meisel, Peter Lindbergh, and Irving Penn

    • 25:12 – The Work Ethic Learned in Japan and Loving Japanese Culture

    • 31:00 – Becoming a Single Mother and Choosing Family Over Hollywood Stardom

    • 37:25 – A Historic 26-Year Partnership with Estée Lauder

    • 41:41 – Visualization, Manifestation, and Wellness in the 1990s

    • 48:00 – The "Invisible Supermodel," Boundaries, and Escaping Social Media Exhaustion

    • 52:50 – Aging Gracefully, Injectables, and Redefining Beauty Standards

    • 57:08 – Rapid Fire: Unlearning People-Pleasing, Perfectionism, and Finding Strength

    FOLLOW THE SHOW

    ►Maria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariasharapova/

    ►Maria on X: https://x.com/MariaSharapova

    ►Pretty Tough on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettytough/?hl=en

    About Pretty Tough

    Pretty Tough is the weekly interview podcast hosted by five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova. Each week, Maria sits down with founders, CEOs, athletes, creatives, investors, and other high achievers for candid conversations about leadership, ambition, decision-making, performance, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building exceptional careers.Drawing from her own experience at the highest levels of sport and business, Maria explores what it really takes to succeed—from navigating failure and reinvention to scaling companies, leading teams, and pursuing excellence over the long term.

    About Maria Sharapova

    Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam champion, former World No. 1 tennis player, entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and one of the most recognizable athletes of her generation. Since retiring from professional tennis, she has built businesses, invested in consumer, technology, and lifestyle companies, and become a respected voice on leadership, performance, and entrepreneurship.


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


    Emmy Rossum on making Furious and Surviving an FBI Boot Camp Sep 16, 2026
    Show notes

    Acclaimed actress, director, and producer Emmy Rossum joins Maria Sharapova for a candid conversation on building a 30-year career on her own terms.


    From getting her start in the Metropolitan Opera Children's Chorus to holding her own alongside legends like Sean Penn at age 16, to spending nine transformative years on the hit show Shameless where she famously advocated for equal pay, Emmy has continually pushed the boundaries of her craft. Now, she is taking on more creative control as an executive producer and star of the hit thriller Furious on Hulu.


    SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1

    LISTEN:►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254


    CHAPTERS

    0:00 – Intro: The Athlete's Mindset in Acting

    2:15 – Growing Up on Shameless: Navigating Nine Years and Developing a Front-Row Seat to Production

    8:00 – The Ballsy Move: Fighting for Equal Pay and Overcoming the Stigma Around Asking for Your Worth

    12:20 – Behind the Scenes of Furious: Finding Dark Catharsis and Developing a Character with Grit

    16:30 – Wearing Two Hats: How Emmy Balances Executive Producing and Acting on Set

    19:20 – Sticking to Your Lane? Why Emmy Ignored the Doubters and Launched Her Production Company

    21:40 – Quantico Boot Camp: Physical Training, Weapons Handling, and Learning How to Be an FBI Agent

    24:45 – The Arsenal of Coaches: Why Dialect, Movement, and Breath Work Matter to the Craft

    28:00 – Working with Clint Eastwood on Mystic River and Discovering a Process

    31:00 – Auditioning for Phantom of the Opera at 16 in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Living Room

    36:30 – Singing with Dolly Parton and Learning Humility from Legends

    39:35 – Managing Fame as a Currency and Keeping Life Grounded

    41:15 – Creative Collaboration: Working Alongside Her Husband, Director Sam Esmail

    46:35 – Pretty Tough Rapid-Fire: Unlearning Perfectionism, People-Pleasing, and Finding Fluidity
    FOLLOW THE SHOW►Maria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariasharapova/►Maria on X: https://x.com/MariaSharapova►Pretty Tough on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettytough/?hl=en

    About Pretty Tough

    Pretty Tough is the weekly interview podcast hosted by five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova. Each week, Maria sits down with founders, CEOs, athletes, creatives, investors, and other high achievers for candid conversations about leadership, ambition, decision-making, performance, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building exceptional careers.Drawing from her own experience at the highest levels of sport and business, Maria explores what it really takes to succeed—from navigating failure and reinvention to scaling companies, leading teams, and pursuing excellence over the long term.

    About Maria Sharapova

    Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam champion, former World No. 1 tennis player, entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and one of the most recognizable athletes of her generation. Since retiring from professional tennis, she has built businesses, invested in consumer, technology, and lifestyle companies, and become a respected voice on leadership, performance, and entrepreneurship.


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


    Jenna Lyons on Leaving J.Crew and The Real Housewives to Reinvent Herself Sep 09, 2026
    Show notes

    It’s New York Fashion Week, and who better to speak with than fashion icon and entrepreneur Jenna Lyons?


    Maria and Jenna discuss everything from her meteoric rise at J. Crew, from assistant designer to president and executive creative director to her advice on developing personal style, why she decided to walk away from the Housewives, to complete career reinvention.


    0:00 – Intro: Stepping Into Your Power with Jenna Lyons

    2:15 – The Early Grind: Starting Out as an Assistant at 21

    7:30 – Learning the Business Side: Moving from Design to Executive Decision-Making

    13:10 – The J.Crew Golden Era: Shaping a Cultural Force and American Style

    19:45 – Mastering Creative Control: Protecting Your Vision in Corporate Boardrooms

    26:00 – The Cost of Perfectionism: Overcoming Burnout and High-Stakes Pressure

    33:20 – The Breaking Point: Stepping Down and Navigating a Public Identity Crisis

    41:10 – Rebuilding from Scratch: Finding Your Voice Outside the Corporate Machine

    47:50 – Style as a Language: Why Authenticity Outlasts Every Trend

    54:30 – Stepping Back into the Spotlight: Navigating Reality TV and Modern Media

    1:01:15 – Redefining Ambition and Setting Boundaries on Your Own Terms

    1:08:00 – Closing Advice: The One Thing Every Ambitious Leader Needs to Hear


    SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1


    LISTEN:►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254CHAPTERS[INSERT

    FOLLOW THE SHOW►Maria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariasharapova/►Maria on X: https://x.com/MariaSharapova►Pretty Tough on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettytough/?hl=en

    About Pretty Tough

    Pretty Tough is the weekly interview podcast hosted by five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova. Each week, Maria sits down with founders, CEOs, athletes, creatives, investors, and other high achievers for candid conversations about leadership, ambition, decision-making, performance, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building exceptional careers.Drawing from her own experience at the highest levels of sport and business, Maria explores what it really takes to succeed—from navigating failure and reinvention to scaling companies, leading teams, and pursuing excellence over the long term.

    About Maria Sharapova

    Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam champion, former World No. 1 tennis player, entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and one of the most recognizable athletes of her generation. Since retiring from professional tennis, she has built businesses, invested in consumer, technology, and lifestyle companies, and become a respected voice on leadership, performance, and entrepreneurship.


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


    Hannah Berner: Leaving Reality TV, Starting Giggly Squad & Finding Her Confidence Sep 02, 2026
    Show notes

    Comedian and Giggly Squad host Hannah Berner joins Maria Sharapova for a special live episode of Pretty Tough in New York City! Hannah opens up about her lifelong obsession with tennis, playing on the junior circuit, and why her ultimate childhood dream was to win Wimbledon before pivoting to stand-up comedy.


    Hannah and Maria dive into the pressure of competitive sports, meeting her heroes, surviving reality TV on Summer House, and treating comedy touring like an elite athlete. Plus, Hannah shares the truth behind "Smile Gate," unlearning self-criticism, and where she gets her confidence from.


    SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1


    LISTEN:►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254


    CHAPTERS

    00:00 – Introduction & Live Show Opening

    00:20 – Welcoming Hannah Berner: From Junior Tennis Circuit to Comedy

    02:15 – Childhood Dreams: Wanting to Win Wimbledon

    03:50 – US Open Predictions & Fan Favorites

    04:45 – The Crazy Story of Chelsea Handler in the Player's Box

    08:30 – Playing Like the Boys & High School Tennis Memories

    11:00 – The Mental Toll of Losing and Pressure in Pro Tennis

    15:00 – Pivoting Away from Tennis & Overcoming Setbacks

    20:00 – Finding Stand-Up Comedy & Re-Parenting Yourself

    23:15 – Reality TV, Summer House, and Handling Public Narratives

    26:15 – Where Confidence Comes From: Tennis vs. Comedy

    30:00 – Hitting with Kim Clijsters & Racket String Tensions

    34:00 – The "Smile Gate" TMJ Botox Story

    38:50 – Marriage to a Fellow Comedian & Working with Amy Poehler

    42:00 – Treating Comedy Touring Like an Athletic Event

    44:45 – The Rapid-Fire Game: Tennis vs. Comedy

    53:50 – Closing Segment: Unlearning, Perfection, and What Makes You Tough


    FOLLOW THE SHOW►Maria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariasharapova/►Maria on X: https://x.com/MariaSharapova►Pretty Tough on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettytough/?hl=en

    About Pretty Tough

    Pretty Tough is the weekly interview podcast hosted by five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova. Each week, Maria sits down with founders, CEOs, athletes, creatives, investors, and other high achievers for candid conversations about leadership, ambition, decision-making, performance, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building exceptional careers.Drawing from her own experience at the highest levels of sport and business, Maria explores what it really takes to succeed—from navigating failure and reinvention to scaling companies, leading teams, and pursuing excellence over the long term.

    About Maria Sharapova

    Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam champion, former World No. 1 tennis player, entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and one of the most recognizable athletes of her generation. Since retiring from professional tennis, she has built businesses, invested in consumer, technology, and lifestyle companies, and become a respected voice on leadership, performance, and entrepreneurship.



    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


    Lindsey Vonn Was #1 in the World When She Crashed. Will She Ever Race Again? Aug 26, 2026
    Show notes

    Maria Sharapova sits down with Olympic skiing legend Lindsey Vonn for a raw, deeply honest conversation about ambition, aging, pain, and the relentless drive to push boundaries.

    At 41, after years of injuries and a major knee replacement, Lindsey returned to competitive racing with one goal: another shot at Olympic gold. But just days before the Olympic Games began, a devastating crash and a ruptured ACL changed everything—forcing her to make the hard choice to race anyway, only to crash again on the Olympic downhill.

    Maria and Lindsey dive deep into the harrowing physical and mental aftermath of that crash, how she is navigating grueling surgeries and recovery, and how she’s weighing whether or not she will ever race again.


    SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1

    LISTEN:►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254


    CHAPTERS

    00:00 | Introduction: The Comeback, the Crash, and What Comes Next

    02:13 | "Too Old to Do Anything, Expected to Do Everything"

    04:00 | Training in Your 40s: Physical Evolution and Body Changes

    06:10 | A Glutton for Pain: Why Hard Work Is Therapeutic

    07:05 | Put Your Phone Away: Avoiding Social Media Scrutiny

    09:55 | The Fantasy of a Perfect Ending vs. Reality

    12:20 | Letting Go of Control: Navigating Delays and Uncertainty

    15:10 | Why Are People Threatened by Ambitious Women?

    18:50 | The Hospital Recovery, Vulnerability, and Journaling Publicly

    26:45 | Fear, Severe Injury, and the Reality of Near-Tragedy

    31:10 | Redefining Pain: Why Ligaments Have Nothing on Broken Bones

    32:20 | Trading Adrenaline: From 100 MPH Downhill to Tennis

    35:45 | Processing the Online Negativity and Finding Perspective

    38:50 | The Science of Peak Fitness: Diet, Recovery, and the Glucose Goddess

    42:30 | Using Doubt as Fuel: Why Haters Make the Best Motivation

    46:30 | The Power of Self-Belief: Lessons From Coach Eric

    50:00 | The Next Generation: Why Kids Need to Experience Adversity

    52:45 | Looking Forward: The Path to Next Spring and Potential Closure

    56:15 | Pretty Tough Rapid Fire: Unlearning Control, Misconceptions, and Feeling Pretty


    FOLLOW THE SHOW

    ►Maria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariasharapova/

    ►Maria on X: https://x.com/MariaSharapova

    ►Pretty Tough on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettytough/?hl=en

    About Pretty Tough

    Pretty Tough is the weekly interview podcast hosted by five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova. Each week, Maria sits down with founders, CEOs, athletes, creatives, investors, and other high achievers for candid conversations about leadership, ambition, decision-making, performance, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building exceptional careers.Drawing from her own experience at the highest levels of sport and business, Maria explores what it really takes to succeed—from navigating failure and reinvention to scaling companies, leading teams, and pursuing excellence over the long term.

    About Maria Sharapova

    Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam champion, former World No. 1 tennis player, entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and one of the most recognizable athletes of her generation. Since retiring from professional tennis, she has built businesses, invested in consumer, technology, and lifestyle companies, and become a respected voice on leadership, performance, and entrepreneurship.


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


    Redefining Luxury: How Marie-Louise Sciò is Building A Resort Empire Aug 19, 2026
    Show notes

    Maria Sharapova sits down with Marie-Louise Sciò, CEO and creative director of the iconic Italian luxury hospitality company, the Pellicano Group.


    Marie-Louise shares her remarkable journey from watching her mom’s hotel parties from behind the rosemary bushes to securing a $200 million investment and expanding across Italy.


    Together, Maria and Marie-Louise laugh, drink Negronis, and ponder the true meaning of luxury. Tune in as they sip, share stories, and unpack what it really takes to build an unforgettable brand and customer experience.


    SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1


    LISTEN:►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254CHAPTERS

    00:00 | Introduction: Negronis at Noon and Perfecting Italian Luxury

    01:17 | The Quote: Why Sex, Fun, and Joy Never Go Out of Style

    04:00 | Growing Up Il Pellicano: Hiding Behind Rosemary Bushes and Lobster Rescues

    06:55 | Taking the Leap: Designing Bathrooms and Rethinking the Hotel Brand

    10:45 | The Power of Details: Stolen Ashtrays and the Iconic Pellicano Book

    12:00 | Launching ISSIMO: Bringing Italy's Cabinet of Curiosities Digital

    14:40 | Breaking the Rules: Cold-Writing Birkenstock and Embracing Bold Risks

    17:15 | Respecting Heritage: Evolving a Legacy Hotel Without Destroying Its DNA

    21:05 | Scaling Up: Raising €200 Million and Acquiring New Tuscan Gems

    26:40 | The Ultimate Taste Test: Comparing Cocktails with Hotel Il Pellicano’s Legendary Barman

    28:30 | Disconnecting in Luxury: Why Phones Are the Enemy of Relaxation

    33:20 | The Ultimate Hotel Checklist: Mattresses, Lighting, and Bathrooms

    34:40 | Marie-Louise’s Top 3 Hidden-Gem Hotels Outside of Her Group

    38:50 | Constant Growth: Finding Lessons and Inspiration in Everything

    40:00 | Pretty Tough Tips: Moving at the Speed of Opportunity

    43:10 | Pretty Tough Rapid Fire: Unlearning Control, Misconceptions, and What Makes Her Feel Pretty

    FOLLOW THE SHOW►Maria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariasharapova/►Maria on X: https://x.com/MariaSharapova►Pretty Tough on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettytough/?hl=en

    About Pretty Tough

    Pretty Tough is the weekly interview podcast hosted by five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova. Each week, Maria sits down with founders, CEOs, athletes, creatives, investors, and other high achievers for candid conversations about leadership, ambition, decision-making, performance, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building exceptional careers.Drawing from her own experience at the highest levels of sport and business, Maria explores what it really takes to succeed—from navigating failure and reinvention to scaling companies, leading teams, and pursuing excellence over the long term.

    About Maria Sharapova

    Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam champion, former World No. 1 tennis player, entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and one of the most recognizable athletes of her generation. Since retiring from professional tennis, she has built businesses, invested in consumer, technology, and lifestyle companies, and become a respected voice on leadership, performance, and entrepreneurship.


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


    Why Malala is Betting Big on Women's Sports Aug 12, 2026
    Show notes

    Maria Sharapova sits down with Nobel Peace Prize laureate, author, and activist Malala Yousafzai to discuss breaking out of public expectations, prioritizing mental health, and why she wants more women in ownership roles in women's sports.
    Hear how Malala and her husband Asser are investing in women's sports through Recess Capital. They dive into how ‘the Caitlin Clark effect’ is changing the narrative, and why women's sports are the next profitable powerhouses.


    Come see Maria live in New York. Tickets Here https://prettytoughlive.splashthat.com/
    SUBSCRIBE
    ►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1
    LISTEN:
    ►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254
    CHAPTERS
    00:00 | Introduction: Finding More Women in the Boardroom & Owner's Box
    00:30 | Malala Yousafzai: Activist and Investor
    02:15 | Surviving the Hedge Maze of Life
    03:40 | Waking Up in Birmingham: The First Moments After the Attack
    06:00 | Losing Control of Your Own Narrative at 15 Years Old
    08:50 | The Reality of Activism: A Lifetime Commitment
    11:15 | Surviving and Thriving as a Student at Oxford
    14:50 | Shifting Perspectives on Marriage, Love, and Patriarchal Institutions
    16:30 | The Philosophy of Activism: Drawing Inspiration from Family
    19:40 | Why Sports? Malala’s Mental Health Journey and Running
    21:40 | Competitive Gym Sessions: Weightlifting with Her Husband
    25:00 | The Contrast of Winning a Nobel Prize vs. Losing Student Council
    28:10 | Fighting for the Afghan Women’s Soccer Team in Exile
    31:15 | Launching Recess Capital: Changing Women's Sports Ownership
    36:00 | The Caitlin Clark Effect and Shifting Public Narrative
    38:50 | Balancing Nonprofits and For-Profit Venture Funds for Financial Independence
    42:15 | Redesigning Sports for Women: Maternity Care, Apparel, and Equal Pay
    45:30 | Preparing for High-Stakes Meetings with Global Leaders
    49:00 | Owning Mistakes and Evolving Public Image
    54:30 | Prioritizing Mental Health, Therapy, and Self-Care
    00:59:00 | Lightning Round: Unlearning, Routines, and Misconceptions
    FOLLOW THE SHOW
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    About Pretty Tough
    Pretty Tough is the weekly interview podcast hosted by five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova. Each week, Maria sits down with founders, CEOs, athletes, creatives, investors, and other high achievers for candid conversations about leadership, ambition, decision-making, performance, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building exceptional careers.
    Drawing from her own experience at the highest levels of sport and business, Maria explores what it really takes to succeed—from navigating failure and reinvention to scaling companies, leading teams, and pursuing excellence over the long term.
    About Maria Sharapova
    Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam champion, former World No. 1 tennis player, entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and one of the most recognizable athletes of her generation. Since retiring from professional tennis, she has built businesses, invested in consumer, technology, and lifestyle companies, and become a respected voice on leadership, performance, and entrepreneurship.YouTubeMaria SharapovaFive-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova brings her trademark intensity and drive to a weekly podcast that challenges how female ambition is defined and discussed. In each episode of Pretty Tough, Sharapova sits down with high-achieving women across industries for candid, wide-ranging conversations about their pursuit of excellence without apology. Inspired by Sharapova’s own journey as a world-class athlete and entrepreneur, the show serves as a space where discussions about peak performance, career strategy, wellness, and leadership aren't diluted by gender-specific expectations and where being gritty and being female aren't seen as contradictory states of being.
    New episodes drop Wednesdays. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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    Delphine Bellini on Reviving A Sleeping Beauty Into Fashion's Hottest Brand Jul 15, 2026
    Show notes

    How do you bring a legendary brand back from the dead? When Delphine Bellini joined Schiaparelli in 2014, the fashion house had been dormant for over 60 years. There were no customers, no modern business, and no blueprint for success—just the legacy of one of fashion's most visionary founders. A decade later, Schiaparelli has become one of the most influential and talked-about brands in luxury fashion. In this conversation, Delphine shares with Maria what it actually took to pull off that transformation: convincing people to believe in a vision before the results existed, partnering with creative director Daniel Roseberry to redefine the house for a new generation, and resisting the pressure for quick wins in favor of building something exceptional. All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough. Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA. ⁠⁠⁠Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform:

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Maria on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Maria on X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Pretty Tough on Substack⁠⁠⁠ 00:00:00 Intro: The unexpected journey to leadership 00:01:48 Dressing superstars: The experience behind the Golden Globes 00:03:00 Balancing legacy and the future of Schiaparelli 00:05:13 Elsa Schiaparelli’s avant-garde history and influence 00:06:23 Defining the brand identity without traditional logos 00:08:08 The collaborative design process: Creating "selfish details" 00:10:35 Building a dormant brand: The conviction to take time 00:13:28 Applying lessons from luxury cruises to haute couture 00:15:20 Performance, struggle, and the athlete-creative connection 00:16:33 Leading young talent through passion 00:17:35 The leader as a facilitator: Navigating collective roles 00:19:10 Discovering Daniel Roseberry’s creative vision 00:20:45 Aligning creative magic with business needs 00:22:27 The psychology of the showroom experience 00:23:55 Why Schiaparelli shows are deeply emotional 00:25:00 The CEO's role behind the scenes of a runway show 00:26:27 Managing controversy: The lion head show and beyond 00:28:35 Future expansion: Ready-to-wear, fragrance, and exclusivity 00:32:38 Maintaining personal balance, discipline, and routines 00:35:10 Lightning Round: Unlearning, perfectionism, and confidence

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